It’s only February and I’ve been asked many times which conferences I plan on attending this year. With so many blogging conferences out there, there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends, and connect with brands. Of course there are the parties, the food and of course the cocktails.
Whether I attend a big conference like BlogHer or a more intimate one like Blogalicious or Mom 2.0 Summit, I feel a bit intimidated when I first arrive. Believe it or not, sometimes I just sit on the sidelines as bloggers arrive at the registration table. I hear squeals of recognition as women hug each other in real life (finally) or see groups of bloggers joking and laughing like they’ve known each other all their lives. How do I compete?
I’m going to share my secret with you. I may not seem like an introvert when you first meet me, but I’d rather connect with others on a one-on-one basis. Here’s how I meet new people at any event, not just blogging conferences:
- Sit next to someone new. It’s safe and easy to sit with people you already know. When you’re sitting with your friends during a session or at lunch, you’re not giving yourself the opportunity to meet others. Or if you’d rather have a friend nearby to feel more comfortable, sit at a half empty table.
- Don’t hide behind your laptop. Or iPad or your smartphone. Yes, it is a blogging conference and I know you’re supposed to tweet, live blog, etc. Make sure you peer around your device and talk to the person next to you.
- Ask open ended questions. The easiest way to start a conversation is to ask the other person about him or herself. Since both of you are at a blogging conference, you already have similar interests: social media. Ask him or her about her blog, kids, dogs, etc.
- Listen. After you ask your questions, be a good listener. Truly hear what the other person is saying. You might make a connection over your pets or your favorite WordPress widgets. Also, by listening, you know you won’t be hogging the conversation. Or babbling.
- Sometimes you have to walk away. Sometimes when you meet a person, you just don’t hit it off. There’s no connection, no chemistry so to speak. That’s ok. Say hello, exchange business cards and move on. You have my permission.
- Hand them your business card. When I’m too nervous to meet someone or I’m in awe of a well known blogger, I break the ice by asking for her business card. Then I make sure to give her mine. I figure it’s a better ice breaker than gushing about how much I love so-and-so’s blog. She’ll glance at my card and probably ask me a question about it. Voila, conversation started and I don’t come off as a crazy fan girl.
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| Melanie & I at John Besh’s restaurant in New Orleans |
Try out these tips and you never know who you’ll meet. I met Melanie of The Coupon Goddess because we happened to sit next to each other during an event at Mom 2.0 Summit. We immediately hit it off because we love to eat. I met Safire (who lives super close to me) when I spontaneously teamed up with her for a Just Dance 3 competition during Blogalicious.
Whatever blogging conferences you choose to attend, make sure you bring business cards with you. I love my cards from Tiny Prints. I get compliments every time I pull them out. They don’t have to be fancy cards. Just make sure your contact information is on it.
I received complimentary business cards from Tiny Prints to share my tips with you. I love Tiny Prints products and would gladly pay for them myself. All opinions are my own.